Apokalypsis

The female vocal Tiburtina Ensemble is a rarity on the Czech music scene. Founded in 2008, it specializes in the interpretation of Gregorian chant, medieval polyphony and contemporary music while it is one of the leading European performers of Early Music. For the present programme, “Apokalypsis”, the leader of the ensemble Barbora Sojková has made a selection from the Spanish medieval manuscript Codex Las Huelgas, complemented by several pieces from other sources, including Gregorian chant. The program is based on a thematic link with the New Testament Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse of John). The ensemble has invited distinguished guests from the local jazz scene, including David Dorůžka on the guitar, Marcel Bárta on the saxophone and Martin Novák on the drums. Their fabulous improvisations that by far exceed the boundaries of jazz, have been inspired by the medieval vocal compositions and the story of the Apocalypse. The recording sessions took place at the Zvíkov castle in the South Bohemia region, using the unique acoustic of the ancient Royal Palace. On those two December days in 2013, the temperature outside and inside the ancient walls barely exceeded zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).